French troops to leave former colony Senegal

DAKAR (Reuters) - French troops will leave Senegal under an agreement to be signed shortly before the West African country celebrates 50 years of independence from France in April, the Senegalese presidency said on Sunday.

France has about 1,200 military personnel stationed at an air base in the capital Dakar, one of three French bases in Africa.

“It has been decided that the French ... will leave Senegal under an agreement which will be signed before April 4,” the presidency said in a statement after talks between President Abdoulaye Wade and French Defence Minister Herve Morin.

On April 4, Senegal will mark the 50the anniversary of independence from France.